Matteo, Leonardo, and Alessandro, the powerful owners of De Angeli Enterprises, are in their early thirties and have built a fearsome reputation worldwide. Known for their ruthlessness and ambition, these men have amassed wealth and influence by tak...
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A week had passed since Yulia last slept at Alessandro's. He'd received an urgent call from his brother early that morning and had been needed back in Italy immediately. Without much explanation, he'd dropped her off at Matteo's house, kissed her goodbye, and disappeared, leaving her with nothing but silence. She hadn't heard from him since.
Aline and Alice had seamlessly taken over the kitchen duties after Leo had declared that Yulia needed rest. They carried on without her, expertly following the recipes she provided. The twins were more than capable, their skill in the kitchen undeniable, which left Yulia feeling a bit... displaced. She couldn't help but wonder why she was even there. The boys already had everything they needed in Aline and Alice. Her hands, still bandaged from the burns, only further deepened her sense of uselessness.
Other than that, not much had changed. Matteo and Leo still found every opportunity to steal kisses and touches, their affection constant, but they hadn't yet addressed the deeper questions that loomed between them. Yulia had asked Matteo directly what was going on, but he only responded with the same answer each time—they had to wait until Alessandro returned. While she understood the logic, the uncertainty gnawed at her, the unanswered questions leaving a heavy ache in her chest.
She sighed, trailing her feet through the cool water of the pool, the ripples reflecting her restless thoughts. The nurse who visited every two days to check on her hands was a constant reminder of Matteo's protectiveness. He was true to his word—he had bought the hospital that treated her burns, a gesture that still left her in disbelief.
How could someone have so much money that they could just buy a hospital? It was beyond comprehension. The bakery, she understood—that had been a more personal loss, and in his own way, Matteo had tried to make it right. But an entire hospital? It was excessive, and yet, she couldn't deny the odd sense of security it gave her.
Still, the pain of losing her bakery hadn't faded. A few days ago, she had driven by the spot where it once stood, and to her dismay, it was already completely gone. She remembered that they had wasted no time in demolishing it, and the new mall was already under construction. Seeing the barren lot had stirred a wave of guilt inside her—how could she kiss the same men who had taken away her dreams? Yet, in their arms, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. Alive. They made her feel bold, like a version of herself she barely recognized—less shy, more confident, more... complete.
The twins had become a source of comfort for her in this strange, in-between time. They had grown close, and she had shared with them stories about Matteo, Leo, and Alessandro. It was nice to have friends, to trust someone outside of the men who had woven their way into her heart. Aline and Alice were a steady presence, making her feel like she wasn't so alone in this new world she had found herself in.
Her men.
The words echoed in her mind, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. Her men. She liked the sound of that, but doubt quickly followed. Were they really hers? She wasn't sure yet. The connection felt real, but until everything was said, until Alessandro returned and the silence between them was filled with answers, she couldn't fully claim them as hers.
